Gov't has not agreed that Mahama should keep the Cantoments residence - Oppong Nkrumah

The claims by former President John Mahama's office that an agreement has been reached allowing Mr Mahama to keep his Cantonments official residence as his retirement home has been rejected by the new Akufo-Addo led government.

According to spokesperson for new government's side of the transition team, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, there was a request from President John Mahama, asking permission to keep the residence but a decision had not been reached.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah revealed that "in the shortest possible time", the new government will take a decision on the request made by former President Mahama.

His reaction comes after the former Communications Minister Omane Boamah claimed in a statement put out on Sunday that ex-President Mahama had been given the green light to occupy the residence under controversy.

“We wish to state and confirm that per the information officially communicated to the newly inaugurated administration following discussions by the Joint Transition Team, President Mahama will continue to maintain his current place of residence as his retirement home,” the statement said.

Despite an official residence in the Flagstaff House, President Mahama refused to use the facility during his four-year stay in power.

He preferred staying in the Cantonments residence which he had been using as vice-president. With the exit of his NDC government, the former President wants to keep this home as part of his retirement package.

This new development has been the topic of discussion since its revelation with some Ghanaians asking the former president to vacate the bungalow to avoid further controversies.

The Transition Act in Section 10(1) requires that the President and his Vice must vacate their official residence a day before the inauguration of the new government.